Interview with Director Simon Panay

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I heard about the Perma Gold Mine when I was shooting another documentary in Burkina-Faso. I didn't really know what what we'd find there, but I called my team, found 2000 Euros and booked flight tickets, just thinking that the subject may be interesting. We were not disappointed.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

« Nobody Dies Here » is a strong film about gold miners in Africa. The film was awarded the First Jury Prize in the Oscar Qualifying Rhode Island International Film Festival, for the World Premiere of the film.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

I didn't write any scripts in the pre-production process. I had no idea about what would find in the gold mine. The structure of the film took form during shooting and editing.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The film has only been presented at the 20th Rhode Island Film Festival as a World Premiere on August 12. I received great feedback about the film after the screening, and we had a long Q&A, which is a good sign.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Presenting your film as a World Premiere is always stressful because you never know how the Audience will receive the film. When you receive great feedback, it's always surprising and cool, because after time and months in the edit, it is hard to judge your own work. At least for me it is.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How are the people interviewed in the film going right now ?

What are you developing or directing next?

I'm working on my first feature fiction actually.

Interview: August 2016

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Nobody Dies Here

Perma Gold Mine, Benin.

Length: 23min28

Director: Simon Panay

Producer: Simon Panay

About the writer, director and producer:

Simon Panay is 22. He made his first fiction short film « Drôle de Guerre » at 19 and it received more than 50 official selections, 15 awards and two TV screenings (Eurochannel, Shorts TV).
In 2012, he shot his first documentary film in Africa : Tontines, une affaire de femmes (52min) and 2014 his second documentary « Waiting for the (t)rain » (26min). With this film he received more than 110 Official Selections all over the world, 20 Awards. In 2014, he received a prize for the Best Talented Young Director of the Year from the prestigious organization ARP.

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists)

Yes, all!

Funders: Simon Panay

Release date: April 15 2016

Where can I watch it in the next month? Oaxaca Film Festival, Off Courts Trouville, Festival de Cine de Madrid PNR, Psarokokalo Film Festival, Festival Vues d'Afrique.